title: Genetic variants of the FADS gene cluster and ELOVL gene family, colostrums LC-PUFA levels, breastfeeding, and child cognition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breastfeeding effects on cognition are attributed to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), but controversy persists. Genetic variation in fatty acid desaturase (FADS) and elongase (ELOVL) enzymes has been overlooked when studying the effects of LC-PUFAs supply on cognition. We aimed to: 1) to determine whether maternal genetic variants in the FADS cluster and ELOVL genes contribute to differences in LC-PUFA levels in colostrum; 2) to analyze whether these maternal variants are related to child cognition; and 3) to assess whether children's variants modify breastfeeding effects on cognition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data come from two population-based birth cohorts (n = 400 mother-child pairs from INMA-Sabadell; and n = 340 children from INMA-Menorca). LC-PUFAs were measured in 270 colostrum samples from INMA-Sabadell. Tag SNPs were genotyped both in mothers and children (13 in the FADS cluster, 6 in ELOVL2, and 7 in ELOVL5). Child cognition was assessed at 14 mo and 4 y using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children of mothers carrying genetic variants associated with lower FADS1 activity (regulating AA and EPA synthesis), higher FADS2 activity (regulating DHA synthesis), and with higher EPA/AA and DHA/AA ratios in colostrum showed a significant advantage in cognition at 14 mo (3.5 to 5.3 points). Not being breastfed conferred an 8- to 9-point disadvantage in cognition among children GG homozygote for rs174468 (low FADS1 activity) but not among those with the A allele. Moreover, not being breastfed resulted in a disadvantage in cognition (5 to 8 points) among children CC homozygote for rs2397142 (low ELOVL5 activity), but not among those carrying the G allele.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genetically determined maternal supplies of LC-PUFAs during pregnancy and lactation appear to be crucial for child cognition. Breastfeeding effects on cognition are modified by child genetic variation in fatty acid desaturase and elongase enzymes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. emorales1@creal.cat
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Mariona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bustamante
authors.forename: Juan Ramon
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guxens
authors.forename: Maties
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torrent
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garcia-Esteban
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Julvez
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Forns
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vrijheid
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Molto-Puigmarti
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lopez-Sabater
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Estivill
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunyer
mesh_terms: D000123:Acetyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000235:genetics*; D000081031:Fatty Acid Elongases; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; C000630967:ELOVL2 protein, human; C000630954:ELOVL5 protein, human; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; C000716847:FADS1 protein, human; D000123:Acetyltransferases; D000081031:Fatty Acid Elongases